But if they confess their iniquity… if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt— then I will remember My covenant with Jacob. (Leviticus 26:40-42)

In the passage above, God is giving a remedy to the sinful condition of His people. He begins Leviticus 26 by encouraging the Israelites to show their faith in Him through their works. Children possess some of the characteristics of the father, and so it ought to be amongst God's people. For the nation that adheres to God's commands, there will be blessings immeasurable. If that nation would turn away from following God and His commandments, there will be poverty and punishment from His hands. One can only wonder if our current economic situation is in some way a symptom of our moral decline as a nation…

The blessed hope is that, whether as individuals or as a nation, we can change with God's help. The dreadful condition of those who refuse to obey His voice is not permanent if we choose not to let it be. God's mercy covers most of what we do, for how many of us really get what we deserve in this life? That mercy is bestowed upon all as He prolongs their life in spite of their sins. Grace, however, is provided only to those who would receive it. God's forgiveness is available to all, free to all, and sufficient for all. But that forgiveness will not be forced upon those who obstinately refuse it. For those willing to receive it, God's grace stands ready to clothe you in righteousness forever. But the journey begins in you.

I've often wondered why more do not accept Christ's gift of love. I think that it boils down to a hardness in our hearts. God's laws stand in contradiction to what we want to do, so God's law loses out. We have to want to change. The first step we must take is to confess our iniquities. Confession means "saying the same thing." It means that we agree with God's determination of an activity as being inherently right or wrong. Confession implies that His will is sovereign. We are subject to that will and, subsequently, to His commands. Next comes humility. The brokenness that follows our confession makes the hardness of our hearts melt away. We become a project that God can and will work with. Finally there must be acceptance of our guilt. In confession and humility, we stand before the throne of the righteous Judge of the universe, and we know that we are guilty as charged. I don't like meddling with guilt; it makes me feel bad. But guilt is absolutely necessary to the plan of salvation. Without guilt, there is no need for punishment. here there is no need for punishment, there is no need for Christ. Where there is no need for Christ, there is no hope for salvation. Accepting our guilt frees us finally to allow Christ to take our guilt as His own. Through confession, humility, and acceptance of guilt, you and I can stand ready to receive God's grace.

The response of God to our faith in His plan is His remembrance of His covenant with Jacob. What is meant here is that when we are faithful to Him, He is in turn faithful to us. He will replace the curses with blessings once again. And He is happy to do it. As all loving fathers ought to be, God does not desire heartache for His children. It is for that reason that He sent Christ into the world. We are not doomed to be lost forever unless we choose to be. We can change if we want to. What would happen if we would turn back to the Lord? Try it and see! May the Lord grant you the beauty of His presence this week!